FD30 Fire Doors are a common presence in the majority of buildings across the UK – and with good reason. Between 2018 and 2020, there were, tragically, more than 500 fire-related deaths in the UK.
Installing FD30 Fire Doors is one of the most crucial fire safety measures that property owners, landlords, construction companies and facility managers can take.
A Fire Door is designed to slow or even stop the spread of fire. By slowing down a fire, you are giving people more time to escape to safety and limit property damage.
In no uncertain terms, installing a well-manufactured and certified Fire Door can save lives.
Fire Doors Now A Legal Requirement In Most UK Buildings
Fire Doors are now legally required in almost every kind of building across the UK, besides privately owned homes (and even then, they are required in loft or other extensions and houses more than two storeys high).
All offices, shops, hospitals, educational facilities, attractions, hotels and apartment buildings must have Fire Doors.
Fire Doors Must Be Certified
A Fire Door must meet criteria and pass stringent fire-resistance tests before it can be declared a Fire Door.
Every component of a Fire Door – including glass and other fittings – must meet the standard’s requirements. And the manufacturer must be a member of the BWF (British Woodworking Federation) Fire Door Alliance.
What Is The BWF Certification?
In the UK, the Fire Door safety standard is managed by the BWF.
The BWF runs the testing for Fire Doors, which takes place under replicated real-life conditions. Fire Door testing includes:
- The upper half of the door being put under positive pressure
- One side of the door being exposed to the level of heat expected during a fire
- A combustible fibrous pad being attached to the unexposed side of the door to measure the time before ignition
- The same tests being repeated on the other side of the door
- The stability and structural integrity of the door being monitored throughout the process.
The doors are then rated according to how long they can be expected to resist the effects of a fire, with ratings as follows: FD30, FD60, FD90, FD120.
The rating correlates directly to the amount of time that the doors are able to resist the effects of a fire, with FD30 doors being certified as able to resist the effects of the fire for 30 minutes.If FD30 fire doors have not been tested to these specifications, then they cannot be called FD30 fire doors.
How Do I Identify A Certified Fire Door?
All doors tested and approved by BWF Fire Door Alliance members must carry a label to confirm that they are an approved Fire Door manufacturer.
These labels show the:
- BWF logo
- FD rating (e.g. FD30) displayed in colour
- manufacturer name and BWF number (given by the BWF Fire Door Alliance upon approval)
- and, finally, a statement, reading:
Fire Door Certification invalid unless installed and maintained exactly in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions and this label is retained, unmarked and not removed.
If any pre-approved changes are made to the door at any point (all of which can be found on the BWF website), then the door must also carry a label declaring
- the changes
- and that they are BWF approved.
If the changes are not on the list of alterations permitted by the BWF, the doors must be re-tested, or else the manufacturer will not be able to retain BWF certification for that particular door type.
BWF Fire Door Alliance Members
If you want to find out whether a Fire Door manufacturer is a Fire Door Alliance member, you can find the full directory on the BWF website.
This list includes Certifire-approved manufacturers and suppliers of doors, doorframes, hinges, fire and smoke seals, glazing systems and glass .
If you’re unsure whether or not a supplier or manufacturer that you are looking to work with is on the list, it’s certainly always worth checking!
When you’re having an FD30 fire door installed, a test certificate for all should be provided to you as the property owner or property manager by the contractor supplying and/or fitting the door. If this isn’t given to you, your doors may not carry the certification needed to be classed as safe-for-use.
Don’t Compromise On Safety!
Don’t cut corners when it comes to fire safety – the risk of potential tragedy is just too great.
At Vigor Doors, each and every one of the FD30 timber and glass fire doors we supply is tested and confirmed safe-for-use by the BWF.
So, if you need Fire Doors that could one days save the lives of the people that occupy your property or the property you’re responsible for, get in touch with Vigor Doors and let us help!
Get Fire Doors right the first time. Speak to a member of the Vigor Doors team on 01642 265 034 or drop us a line at info@vigordoors.com
